SHILLONG: Chief minister Conrad K Sangma visited the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) office at Risa Colony in Shillong after a petrol bomb attack was reported at the premises on Wednesday, adding to a series of attacks and incidents of arson reported across the Meghalaya capital over the past two months.
According to sources, three unidentified miscreants arrived at the DMR office at around 3:15 pm and hurled two petrol bombs before fleeing the scene.
No casualties were reported. However, an Alto car bearing registration number ML 05 AC 0429, belonging to a department officer, was partially damaged in the incident.
Police personnel from Laitumkhrah Police Station reached the spot and launched an investigation to identify those involved and ascertain the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Hours after the incident, Sangma visited accompanied by chief secretary Shakil Ahmed and senior police officials inspected the DMR office.
Sangma met DMR officials and reviewed the situation at the premises. He assured the affected officer of government assistance for the damaged vehicle and directed the authorities to strengthen security at the office.
The government will also install additional high-definition CCTV cameras around the DMR office compound to enhance surveillance and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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The latest incident comes amid a series of similar attacks reported in different parts of Shillong since August.
The first such incident was reported on August 3, when two masked men on a scooter allegedly hurled twin petrol bombs at the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board office, three days after a contentious public hearing on July 31 concerning Shree Cement Ltd’s proposed limestone mining project in East Jaintia Hills.
Violence subsequently broke out in the city on August 19 during a protest organised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) over demands relating to local resource control and indigenous rights. Government vehicles and tourist taxis were targeted, public property was damaged and civilians were attacked. Three KSU leaders were later arrested.
On August 20, petrol bombs were hurled at the Nongmensong Police Outpost, damaging an exterior wall and setting a chair on fire. The following day, petrol bombs were reported at Madanrting Police Station and the National People’s Party office in Lower Lachumiere, although no damage was reported at the latter. A motorcycle suspected to belong to a police personnel was also set ablaze at Malki, Nongshilliang, on the same day.
The incidents came after the expiry of a three-day ultimatum issued by the KSU to the Meghalaya Government over what it described as continued registration of cases against its leaders. Arson was subsequently reported at several locations during the midnight hours, with the perpetrators remaining unidentified.
More recently, on September 12, two petrol bombs were hurled at Laban Police Station, damaging a parked police Gypsy and triggering a fire inside the premises. Police personnel later doused the flames, preventing further damage.
The latest attack at the DMR office has added another incident to the series of petrol bomb attacks and arson reported across Shillong in recent weeks.
